What if true progress means actively seeking failure?

Michelle MacDonald sits down with Courtney Ustrzycki—IFBB Pro athlete, posing coach, and former powerlifter—for a deep dive into the mental and physical evolution required for elite competition. Courtney shares her journey from resisting bodybuilding to becoming a professional, all while navigating mindset shifts, vulnerability, and the messy realities of growth. They explore how discipline trumps motivation, why balance isn’t always the answer, and what it means to push past self-imposed limits.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

0:32 Redefining failure in the gym as a goal for growth

17:35 “Growth is messy—and the gym is the one place where failure should be your goal.”

32:27 Train to true failure to unlock real progress

41:08 Overcoming jealousy and self-doubt on the pro stage

"Growth is messy—and the gym is the one place where failure should be your goal."

GUEST: COURTNEY USTRZYCKI

Website | Email | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Posing mobility program | NPC Bikini & Fit Model posing manual

I’m a passionate and dynamic leader in the bodybuilding world, specializing in posing and competition prep within the NPC Federation. My journey started in the world of powerlifting, where I first built my foundation as both an athlete and a coach for lifestyle clients. In 2019, I made the leap into bodybuilding—a transformation that reshaped not only my physique but also my mindset and approach to life. This evolution drove me to become the coach I am today, bringing a blend of real-world experience, research-backed strategies, and genuine, relatable insights to every athlete I work with.

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Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024.

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Where to Watch/Listen:

• Website
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Are women being sold a myth about fitness during menopause?

Michelle MacDonald sits down with Dr. Allan Bacon—a former surgeon turned physique coach—for a frank, science-backed conversation on women’s health and fitness, the damaging fads targeting midlife women, and the importance of cultivating a healthy mindset over quick fixes.

They explore the psychological traps of crash diets, the false promises of hormone-focused programs, and the influence of social media pseudoscience.

Dr. Bacon breaks down how personal growth comes from evidence-based training, not magical shortcuts, and offers empowering truths about body composition, strength training, and navigating menopause with resilience and logic.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

0:38 Why Smart Women Fall for Fitness Fads

3:14 Menopause Marketing A Feeding Frenzy

11:44 Just Lift Heavy The Most Misleading Advice

13:29 Do Men and Women Build Muscle the Same

20:32 Age-Related Muscle Loss What's Really Happening

28:22 Women Are Not Large Mice

32:39 The SWAN Study Hope for Midlife Women

GUEST: DR. ALLAN BACON, DDS, CPT, PBC, USAPL-CC, CNC, PN1

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Group

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What does it take to rebuild your life from the inside out?

With host Michelle MacDonald, Tiffany reveals the turning point that forced her to choose between continuing a destructive path or finally taking full ownership of her healing.

Tiffany Owen opens up about the series of traumas that once defined her — from discovering at 29 that her father wasn’t her biological dad, to surviving sexual abuse, multiple toxic marriages, addiction, and suicide attempts.

But this isn’t just a story of suffering. It’s one of courageous transformation.

Through personal responsibility, radical honesty, and daily mindset work, she emerged not just sober, but spiritually and emotionally empowered.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

KEY MOMENTS

2:49 “Congratulations, you’re at rock bottom—transformation starts here.”

3:55 Inside the victim mindset and functional chaos

6:45 “Extreme giving” as a masked cry for self-worth

11:01 The moment her husband said, “You can’t come home.”

16:45 How self-help podcasts and books saved her life

21:11 Dismantling perfectionism and building authenticity

24:00 The non-negotiables that rewired her mindset

30:11 Meditation, Joe Dispenza, and the power of daily practice

GUEST: TIFFANY OWEN

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok

Wounded To Warrior: How to Participate in Your Own Rescue Book

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What if aging was less about erasing time and more about owning your evolution?

Michelle MacDonald sits down with renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Jugenburg to unpack the real reasons high-achieving women over 40 are exploring cosmetic procedures—not to chase youth, but to enhance self-respect, confidence, and alignment.

From breast lifts and tummy tucks to emotional readiness and ethical practice, he breaks down myths about vanity, aging, and quick fixes.

Dr. Jugenburg shares powerful insights about skin elasticity, realistic expectations, and the future of surgical enhancement in a performance-forward, longevity-focused lifestyle.

Whether you're surgery-curious or simply refining your aging approach, this episode gives you both science and soul.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

KEY MOMENTS

1:42 — Taboo No More: Why Women Are Talking About Surgery

3:57 — Refinement Over Reinvention

9:23 — The Most Self-Honoring Reason for Surgery

14:50 — Why Social Media Can Mislead Your Surgical Goals

23:39 — What’s Actually Worth It in Skin Treatments?

26:48 — Cellulite: The Billion-Dollar Problem With No Cure

33:53 — The Psychological Side of Fitness and Surgery

43:36 — Facelift Recovery: How Long Before You Zoom?

GUEST: DR. MARTIN JUGENBURG

Website | Instagram | Six Surgery Instagram

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Are you chasing muscle gains but sabotaging your progress without even realizing it?

Michelle MacDonald teams up again with elite coach and world champion Hattie Boydle to shatter myths about building strength, especially for women.

They dive deep into why mastering mobility and core strength is crucial before adding heavy loads, how to fuel your body for true muscle growth (hint: carbs and fats are your friends), and the mindset shifts needed to fall in love with the slow, steady journey to greatness.

This isn’t about shortcuts — it’s about building a body (and a mindset) that’s strong for life.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

KEY MOMENTS

01:58 The Real Power of Self-Care for Strength Athletes

05:49 Why Core Stability Must Come Before Squats

09:09 Structural Balance: The Secret Sauce to Injury Prevention

12:41 Yes, You Should Still Lift Weights — Here's How

28:38 How and When to Increase Your Calories

36:23 Climbing the Mountain: Mastering the Mindset

GUEST: HATTIE BOYDLE

Website | Instagram | Podcast | Coaching | Link Tree |

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Want to Build Muscle Like a Pro? Start at Your Feet.

Hattie Boydle drops truth bombs about what really builds a strong, sculpted physique—and it’s not what most people think.

Michelle MacDonald sits down with the five-time pro titleholder and elite physique coach to explore why intensity trumps volume, how weak feet might be killing your glute gains, and why a proper movement screen is essential before adding load.

Hattie dives deep into beginner vs. advanced training phases, how to assess true effort, and the misunderstood magic of training at maintenance before going into a bulk.

If you think you’re lifting hard but not seeing results, this one will flip your training script.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

KEY MOMENTS

08:24 – Glutes Start in Your Feet: The Real Foundation of Strength

16:42 – Overtraining, Undereating: The Recipe for a Plateau

20:18 – Reps, Volume, and the Real Science of Hypertrophy

29:16 – Train With Intent: Every Set, Every Rep

GUEST: HATTIE BOYDLE

Website | Instagram | Podcast | Coaching | Link Tree |

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Want to unlock your teen’s true potential? Start by turning down the volume on their inner critic.

Michelle MacDonald and Kristi Simons dive deep into how emotional intelligence, energy management, and mindset can transform young lives—and even offer profound lessons for adults.

Kristi breaks down the four types of energy that shape our daily experiences—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and shares how teens can develop self-awareness to overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and fear.

With compelling stories, including a moving account of a 14-year-old girl finding her inner truth through guided meditation, Kristi shows how shifting from drama to empowerment is not only possible but truly life-changing.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

KEY MOMENTS

05:36 – The 4 Energy Zones: Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual

11:12 – It's All About Energy: 90% Vibes, 10% Strategy

23:50 – Why Teens Thrive When They Feel Seen & Safe

30:57 – Parents as Safe Spaces: Why They Matter Most

GUEST: KRISTI SIMONS

Website | Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Podcast

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

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What if the struggles you faced as a teen could become the foundation for a life of purpose and transformation?

Michelle MacDonald sits down with Kristi Simons—podcaster, coach, and former teacher—who turned her own journey of self-doubt, numbing behaviors, and personal reinvention into a mission to empower teens.

Kristi shares her raw and honest story, from the rock-bottom moment that forced her to reevaluate her life to discovering the power of self-love, emotional intelligence, and conscious transformation.

Through her Confident Teen podcast and coaching practice, she’s now helping young people break free from societal expectations and create lives filled with confidence, creativity, and purpose.

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

02:04 – The Lost Teen: Searching for Acceptance

08:31 – Numbing the Pain: The Hidden Warning Signs

21:11 – Body Bliss: Rewriting the Narrative of Self-Worth

27:12 – The Power of Words: How a Childhood Comment Shaped Her Self-Image

GUEST: KRISTI SIMONS

Website | Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Podcast

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

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